Help?? What to Pack for Early December.

[disneyjr77]

We'll be there the 7-17th, what's the weather like and how do i pack? It's DH, myself and DD4 (turning 5 while we're there).

 

[GaSleepingBeautyFan]

It changes every year. Last year it was coooold. As in down in the 30's at night cold and no higher than mid-60's during the day. There was no swimming for me on that trip.

I did layering. Started the day in jeans/t-shirt/long sleeve shirt/hoodie/fleece jacket and carried gloves.

Mid-Day I was down to the jeans/t-shirt level.

End of day everything was back on plus the gloves and the one night I was in World Showcase for evening EMH I was wishing for my long johns that I'd left back in the room.

I've heard of other folks being there at that time in other years and it was nice and warm. Shorts weather and able to swim.

I would not bother packing in advance, I'd just keep an eye on the weather before you go and pack a bit of everything just in case the weather changes while you are there.

 

[ashleym337]

We were there also last December during that time and it was FREEZING!! I am glad I brought gloves, hat, jackets for my kids because we wouldn't NOT have made it, especially once it his 5 o'clock. The best thing I can recommend, is to bring some of everything. Bring a jacket, bring gloves, hats.... and lots to layer. We usually went with our light jacket we brought and 2 or 3 or more shirts under to keep warm, with blankets too. You never know what the weather will do (we were able to swim our first and last day there).

 

[MushLRC]

It can SOOO vary. You really need to keep your eye one the weather forecasts before you go. Last year we went Thanksgiving and it was 80 and sunny every day and like 60's at night. The next few weeks after we got home they were having freezing cold temps nearly as bad as we were having back here in Michigan.

 

[MoonFaerie]

Yup, it can really vary. When we were there in mid-Dec in 2009, we were in shorts and sleeveless dresses at the beginning of the week, and by the end of the week, we were in jeans and sweaters wishing for our winter jackets.

 

[Jakesmom504]

Every time I see anything related to Dec weather in WDW I laugh. Back in 2000 when we were there on our honeymoon, they had record low temps for most of the week. It would warm up during the day but I have pics of us mini golfing one night with corduroy pants on, a turtleneck, a sweatshirt over that, a lightweight jacket (because that's all I had) and gloves, scarf and hat! I looked like I was on a ski honeymoon with my red face and nose, not a Disneymoon! It was nuts! By the day we left on the 23rd, people were in shorts! Figures....

 

[Priorityonecb]

December is iffy in Florida! We waited to pack until a week out when we could check the forcast. I usually start packing a month ahead, so that was hard on me! When we went we did the layering thing. We wore jeans and light shirts, but took along a sweater/light jacket for the girls. Dh is too tough for a jacket apparently! That was all we needed, but we girls were so glad for our jackets in the AC, and once the sun went down.

 

[Taja]

The weather can be extremely variable! Highs from the 40s (or a bit below) to the 80s and lows from the high 70s to freezing or a bit below!

Swimsuits, shorts, t-shirts that can be layered, a couple of long-sleeved shirts that can double as lightweight jackets, some long pants, sweats/hoodie--whatever you wear in cooler but not seriously cold weather. If you're coming from a colder climate, you'll already have a heavy jacket/coat, gloves, hat/cap and, possibly a scarf. If you have thermal underwear, it might be a good idea to include a couple of sets--it requires less space than sweats. I don't have any (live in the low desert), so I have to scrunch a couple of sets of sweats into my case. Quantity of items depends on how long you will be visiting and if you are willing to do laundry.

In December 2007 (11 nights), the weather was in the 80s when we arrived and only cooled off to the mid 70s overnight for the first five or six days. Then it cooled the to 70s for a day or two, then low 60s for a day, then dropped into the 40s the day before we left. The day we departed, it was 35 degrees at 1:00 p.m. (afternoon)!

Most trips have been a bit more consistent, with highs in the 60s and 70s and overnight lows dipping into the 40s and 50s, with the occasional day in the 50s.

No significant rain most trips, but one year it rained for about a day and a half. It wasn't tremendously cold--probably in the 60s--but it was wet!

Whether that is warm or cold depends on your viewpoint. I consider anything below 60 degrees to be cold! *LOL*

 

[Mrs D]

Layering is the key. Long sleeve shirts, short sleeves that can be put over. Jeans and shorts ( I left the shorts at home on our Dec 2009 trip because the forecast was for the 60's, of course it was in the mid 80s for 3 days)!! Bring a warm coat (I like the Columbia type ones that is a fleece and outer shell that can be separated), gloves, scarf and hat. I also packed leggings that could be put on under the jeans in a pinch as well as fleece pants/sweat pants put could be pulled over the jeans in case of emergency. Due to the warm streak we experienced it was everything we could do to put on the matching red turtlenecks that were made for our Christmas card photo then got them off as quickly as possible!

 

[disneyjr77]

OMGosh!! thanks everyone for the input i'm glad i asked...a little bit of everything it is lol. I never would've thought long johns in FL ever We've only been in the summer/fall months, so i'm glad i asked. I'll pack the day we leave, we're surprising DD with the trip and she'll be at daycare that day so that will work out perfect.

thanks again!!!

 

[nellyru]

Be prepared for anything!!

We were there early December last year and wore winter coats, hats, mittens and by the end of our trip it was 70 degrees, warm and sunny!

 

[brightspark]

We went in 2007 and it was boiling! (well not summer temps for FL but compared to the UK)...
Coldest time we've ever seen was January, when we have photos of me on Splash Mountain in hat gloves and scarves...

 

[puffkin]

We have been in anything from summer gear to winter gear and everything in between on one trip!

Last December it was FREEZING. The Monday we left it was in the low 30's most of the day. They had all the flower beds covered and everything. It was colder in FL than here in PA.

December '09 we swam half the week and were bundled up the other half.

We have been down in December 4 times now and learned that you just never know so bring EVERYTHING. And the long range forecasts can change drastically so don't rely on them either.

 

[RMulieri]

We have had Hot and absolute FRIGID in the same week..Pack layers and be prepared for all weather contingencies.Last year it was colder in Florida than here at home in PA

 

[dzneelvr]

We're going the next week in December and I will be immersed in all weather related forcasts for the Orlando areaI realize it could be anything from 50's to 80's, but I want to know a better range of what to pack and hopefully, one item will be swimsuits

 

[mom2aredhead]

We'll be there the 7-17th, what's the weather like and how do i pack? It's DH, myself and DD4 (turning 5 while we're there).

Like everyone said, pack everything. We were also there December 2007, and it was HOT (shorts, tank tops, swimming) the beginning of the week, and a few days later we were in fleece and gloves. No lie- 40 degree temperature swing during our 1 week trip.

 

[Taja]

Like everyone said, pack everything. We were also there December 2007, and it was HOT (shorts, tank tops, swimming) the beginning of the week, and a few days later we were in fleece and gloves. No lie- 40 degree temperature swing during our 1 week trip.

Sounds as though we were at WDW during some of the same dates! *LOL*

It was in the 80s the first 7 days of our visit--and did not cool off much at night, then dropped consistently during the remaining 5 days. It was 35 degrees at 1:00 in the afternoon on the day we departed for home!